NJ AJR138

New Jersey Legislature urges the U.S. Congress to enact legislation granting statehood to Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. has approximately 678,972 residents (2023 Census estimate), comparable to Wyoming, Vermont, Alaska, and North Dakota, yet lacks voting representation in Congress.

D.C. residents pay more federal taxes than residents of 22 states, serve on federal juries, and serve in the military, but cannot elect voting members of Congress.

D.C. voters approved statehood by 86 percent in a November 2016 referendum, and the UN Human Rights Committee and Organization of American States have called on Congress to address the district's lack of political equality.

Copies of the resolution would be transmitted to the D.C. Mayor and all New Jersey members of Congress.